DJ Mbenga's story. A little perspective.
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:39 pm
Did you know that DJ's father was part of the Congolese government that was overthrown and died mysteriously. DJ was in imprisoned and facing execution for 9 months before escaping jail and fleeing the Congo on a bribe from his brother. He's a spaz, but I like what he says and considering the late introduction to basketball I think he may have some room for growth.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=7335
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=7335
But for DJ Mbenga, tragedy hit even closer to home. Mbenga's father worked for the Congolese government and when his term ended, the new regime looked to purge all those that worked for the old administration. Mbenga's father died in unknown circumstances and as the war raged on, DJ himself was jailed and faced execution.
After nine months of incredibly difficult circumstances in prison, Mbenga escaped; his brother had bribed one of the prison guards and DJ immediately flew to Belgium, where he sought political asylum. While living at a shelter in Belgium, Mbenga was "discovered" by a basketball coach, leading him on the journey that eventually landed him in the NBA and now to his second 10-day contract with one of the most storied franchises in the league.
"Sometimes when they see us or when they talk to us when we come home, we bring them something new, like energy," Mbenga said of fans in the Congo. "Something like new breath, like hope. They can say, 'If this guy can do it, we can do it, too.' Just to show them a different face
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:43 pm
Good Article. Mychael Tompson talked about this a couple weeks ago - and I posted a brief recap in a DJ thread. Crazy story , indeed.
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:52 pm
I'm kind of generalizing here but it seems like many NBA players coming out of Africa have these really intense stories. And I'm not trying to say it in a negative manner, I'm saying it really reflects how messed up things are over there and how fortunate we are to be over here. I mean the article mentions how average life expectancy in Congo is 47 years... it's even worse in other impoverished countries and regions (mid-high 30's).
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:57 pm
nice article, thanks
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:05 pm
alfurd wrote:I'm kind of generalizing here but it seems like many NBA players coming out of Africa have these really intense stories. And I'm not trying to say it in a negative manner, I'm saying it really reflects how messed up things are over there and how fortunate we are to be over here. I mean the article mentions how average life expectancy in Congo is 47 years... it's even worse in other impoverished countries and regions (mid-high 30's).
The joys of colonialism and horrendous leadership.
Here's a good example of how the continent has been exploited:
http://adamash.blogspot.com/2006/04/on- ... rwins.html
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:08 pm
Weird story, but I'm glad to have him on the Lakers...
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:33 pm
Sedale Threatt wrote:The joys of colonialism and horrendous leadership.
Here's a good example of how the continent has been exploited:
http://adamash.blogspot.com/2006/04/on- ... rwins.html
Yeah I saw Darwin's Nightmare about a year ago. With the different perspectives it did a really great job of illustrating how greed is impacting those people. My friends gasped at the part with the maggots because of the size of that field.
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:35 pm
Mychal Thompson was just talking about this yesterday on the Cannons. I heard about it a couple weeks ago here and read up on it, amazing story, very lucky man. Sucks to live out in that part of the world in its current state...
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:38 pm
that's a crazy story. thanks for posting it
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:12 am
this is old news.
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:15 am
Rox_Nix_Nox wrote:this is old news.
But still relevant.
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:33 am
milesfides wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
But still relevant.
Hopefully.
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:38 pm
nice story
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:17 pm
You would think someone that has endured so much physically and mentally, would be the hardest worker on the team.... never really heard anything about his work ethic.... Hopefully he wants to grow and prove himself not only to the lakers, but to his people in CONGO.
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:51 pm
Well, it only took a few years to get where he's at. With Sasha we've seen how patience can pay off. Maybe he'll relax and make a leap forward. I would think there's very little pressure on him.
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:34 pm
off topic...but i have a question about hoopsworld and eric pincus
is that an amatuer run site? i found that article interesting, and don't mean to hate, but the writing level seems to be really subpar
and eric pincus...i think i saw his writing before through LG, and am wondering howtf does he get access to these players? his writing is probably by far the worst but LG'ers seem to be all over his stuff...
is that an amatuer run site? i found that article interesting, and don't mean to hate, but the writing level seems to be really subpar
and eric pincus...i think i saw his writing before through LG, and am wondering howtf does he get access to these players? his writing is probably by far the worst but LG'ers seem to be all over his stuff...
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:50 pm
What do u want for DJ?
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:15 am
I am very touched by his story. It reminds me how lucky I am to enjoy freedom my entire life. I wish the very best for his career as well as the rest of his life. I am rooting for him and I am on his bandwagon. I actually liked the guy after watching his first game with us when he helped protect the basket and allowed fans to go home with free tacos lol. Hopefully he has a future with us, I take him over Chris Mihm anyday.
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:28 pm
alfurd wrote:I'm kind of generalizing here but it seems like many NBA players coming out of Africa have these really intense stories. And I'm not trying to say it in a negative manner, I'm saying it really reflects how messed up things are over there and how fortunate we are to be over here. I mean the article mentions how average life expectancy in Congo is 47 years... it's even worse in other impoverished countries and regions (mid-high 30's).
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:43 pm
MakeInChina wrote:off topic...but i have a question about hoopsworld and eric pincus
is that an amatuer run site? i found that article interesting, and don't mean to hate, but the writing level seems to be really subpar
and eric pincus...i think i saw his writing before through LG, and am wondering howtf does he get access to these players? his writing is probably by far the worst but LG'ers seem to be all over his stuff...
I'm sure he still sniffs around here, but he usually gets flamed anytime he's here for his articles. Sounds like you've had a taste of why. I'll leave it at that, lest Beatlejuice hear his name and pops up.